Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Stevens, James F. 1863 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 4, 2013, 12:25 am

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

JAMES F. STEVENS.

James F. Stevens, filling the position of county auditor, to which he has twice
been elected, was born in Blandchester, Clinton county, Ohio, September 8, 1863.
His father, Frank Stevens, is a native of Little Falls, Herkimer county, New
York, born September 6, 1840. In early manhood he wedded Maria McMorrow, who was
born in County Sligo, Ireland, March 17, 1841. The grandfather of Frank Stevens'
mother was Captain Wetherstine, who served under General Schuyler in the Mohawk
Valley and other campaigns and also under General Washington in the
Revolutionary war. He attained the rank of Captain and for his services was
granted three hundred and twenty acres of land on which the City of Rochester,
New York is now located. Philip McMorrow, the father of Mrs. Maria Stevens, was
a colonel of artillery in the British army in the Crimean war. He fought before
Sebastopol and was stationed in Ireland at the time of his death. Frank Stevens
laid out the first yards of the Wabash Railroad, then known as the Northern
Missouri at Ottumwa, and for twenty-eight years he was with various railroad
companies. In 1893, in connection with his son James, he purchased a farm in
Wapello county, but is now living retired in South Ottumwa, where he and his
wife occupy a pleasant home. It was in 1874 that he removed with his family to
Davis county, Iowa, settling upon a farm which he purchased and residing there
about ten years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were born two children, the younger
being a daughter, Emma, now the wife of H. T. Lester, of South Ottumwa.

James F. Stevens, whose name introduces this review, was a little lad of about
six years when the family first came to Iowa in 1869. He is indebted to the
public-school system of the state for his educational privileges. He attended
the old Adams school of Ottumwa in 1871-72, was afterward a student in other
schools and in the Ottumwa Business College. He started out in the business
world in connection with railroad work and after being employed in that way for
a time returned to school. Later he engaged in railroading, serving in many
capacities in connection with the track work of the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy
and several other railroads. In connection with his father he purchased a farm
in this county in 1893, and he now owns three hundred and sixty acres of land in
Keokuk township, constituting a rich and well developed tract, which he has
brought under a high state of cultivation. He carried on general farming and
stock-raising and his well managed business affairs brought to him substantial
success. Mr. Stevens' fellow citizens of Wapello county recognizing his worth
and ability. called him to office. In 1891 he was appointed deputy auditor and
served in that capacity for two years. In 1903 he made a complete set of town
lot and land transfers and plats for the entire county besides doing other work
in the auditor's and treasurer's offices. It was after that that he removed to
the farm, upon which he lived until he was again made deputy auditor for the
years 1909-10. He was then elected auditor in the fall of the latter year and
served through the succeeding two years, while in 1912 he was reelected, so that
he is now serving for the fourth year as auditor, subsequent to four years'
service as deputy. His political record is a commendable one, being
characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty. His political allegiance is given
to the democratic party, and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues
of the day.

Mr. Stevens has been married twice. On the 27th of April, 1898, he was united in
marriage to Miss Anna O'Brien, who for twelve years was a teacher in the schools
of Wapello. She was a daughter of Michael and Bridget O'Brien, and she passed
away July 25, 1902, leaving a daughter, Mary, who is now a student in the
Sisters Academy. On the 5th of September, 1904, Mr. Stevens was married to Miss
Christina A. Schmitz, who was born in the Rhine Province, Germany, a daughter of
Christian and Anna (Klingebraun) Schmitz, both of whom are now deceased.

Mr. Stevens is a member of the Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus.
He also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Moose.
His life has indeed been a busy one, in which there have been few idle hours,
and he has employed his time wisely in the mastery of all the duties that have
devolved upon him. He has made a splendid record in office, while in business
lines he has steadily progressed and is now the owner of valuable property
holdings in this county.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914


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